Representative Arthur J. O’Neill (R-69) has been appointed to serve as Deputy Republican Leader-at-Large in the House Republican Leadership Team. He has also received his appointments from House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr. (R-142), as to which committees he will serve on during the 2011-13 term.
O’Neill has also been appointed to the legislature’s Redistricting Committee. Every ten years following a U.S. Census this committee is charged with re-drawing the boundaries of U.S. Congress districts in Connecticut as well as state House and Senate districts according to population data. The State of Connecticut’s population increased slightly over the past two years from 3.4 million residents to 3.5 million.
Additionally, Rep. O’Neill will serve as Ranking Member on the legislature’s Regulations Review Committee which reviews regulations proposed by state agencies and approves them before they are implemented. Since all regulations have the force of law, the committee sees to it that regulations do not contravene the legislative intent, or conflict with current state or federal laws, or the state or federal constitution.
He has also been re-appointed to the Judiciary Committee. This committee oversees all matters concerning the Judicial and Corrections Departments, and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It also deals with criminal law, judicial procedures, estates and judicial nominations among many other legal issues.
In addition, he has been re-appointed to the powerful state budget-writing Appropriations Committee which oversees matters relating to the state budget and agency budgets, state employee salaries and benefits, pensions and collective bargaining. He will also be a member of the Legislative Management Committee which oversees the business dealings of the Connecticut General Assembly.
“In his lengthy time here in the legislature, Representative O’Neill has distinguished himself as one of the most learned and knowledgeable legislators in the House,” said Rep. Cafero on his appointment of O’Neill. “I know that I can depend on Rep. O’Neill and his analytical mind in these critical committee assignments as well as in the post of Deputy Republican Leader-at Large.”
Rep. O’Neill represents the 69th District which includes Southbury, Roxbury, Washington and Bridgewater. First elected in a special election in 1988, Rep. O’Neill is the longest-serving Republican House member in the Connecticut General Assembly and is considered to be the Dean of the GOP.
